Materials Manager

marmon; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Transco Rail Services, part of Marmon Holdings, is seeking a Materials Manager to lead inventory control, planning, warehousing, and material flow in a dynamic manufacturing environment. You will develop frontline teams, drive continuous improvement, and partner across production, purchasing, and operations to ensure materials are available when needed.

The role emphasizes leadership, analytics, and process optimization, with frequent collaboration across departments to maintain efficiency and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in business, supply chain, logistics, or related field.
• 5+ years across multiple supply chain functions including inventory management, planning, warehousing or manufacturing operations.
• Experience leading teams in manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong inventory management and material planning experience.
• Proven project management and continuous improvement experience.
• Strong analytical skills to collect, organize and interpret data from multiple sources.
• Experience generating reports and maintaining inventory records.
• Strong cross-functional communication across departments.
• Ability to influence others and drive results without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead Line Side Supervisors and Material Handlers development.
• Partner with Site Buyers to ensure material availability.
• Implement material control processes to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
• Maintain balanced inventory levels to prevent stockouts and delays.
• Monitor material movement through TREX and manage digital picklists.
• Oversee kitting schedules and material staging activities.
• Ensure storage locations are organized for efficiency.
• Participate in Daily Management System activities and plant walks.
• Lead or participate in Kaizen and continuous improvement events.
• Perform cycle counts, inventory reconciliation and accuracy initiatives.
• Communicate shortages, delays and vendor issues to plant leadership.
• Build cross-department communication to support operations.

Skills

People leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Project management

Inventory management

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Supply Chain

Tools

ERP systems

WMS

Inventory software

TREX / data tools

Job description

Transco Rail Services

As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings-which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway- you'll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We're committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone's empowered to be their best.

Lead Inventory Strategy, Develop Teams, and Keep Operations Moving

At Transco Rail Services, we don't just repair railcars, we keep critical industries moving. As part of Marmon Rail (a Berkshire Hathaway company), we operate a growing network of facilities and field service teams across North America, supporting customers in transportation, energy, and manufacturing.

We are seeking a Materials Manager to lead inventory control, material planning, warehousing, and material flow activities that support daily production operations. This role is ideal for a hands-on supply chain leader who enjoys developing teams, improving processes, driving inventory accuracy, and partnering across departments to ensure materials are available when and where they are needed.

What You'll Do:

The Materials Manager is responsible for leading materials operations, inventory management, kitting activities, and material handlers while supporting continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.

On any given day, you will:

• Lead and develop Line Side Supervisors and Material Handlers
• Partner with Site Buyers to ensure material availability and support production requirements
• Implement material control processes that reduce costs and improve efficiency
• Maintain balanced inventory levels while preventing stockouts and production delays
• Monitor material movement through TREX and manage digital picklists
• Oversee kitting schedules and material staging activities
• Ensure storage locations are organized for maximum efficiency and accessibility
• Conduct daily plant walks and actively participate in the Daily Management System
• Lead or participate in Kaizen and continuous improvement events
• Perform and oversee cycle counts, inventory reconciliation, and inventory accuracy initiatives
• Track supplemental material requests across work centers
• Communicate inventory shortages, shipment delays, and vendor issues to plant leadership
• Build strong communication channels across departments to support operational needs
• Maintain accurate inventory records and materials documentation
• Ensure safe, organized, and efficient material storage and handling practices

What Makes This Role Different:

• Direct Impact on Operations: Your team's ability to provide the right materials at the right time directly impacts production throughput, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Leadership Opportunity: Lead and develop frontline materials teams while helping shape inventory and material strategies for the facility.
• Continuous Improvement Focus: Drive process improvements through Kaizen events, inventory optimization, and material flow enhancements.
• Cross-Functional Visibility: Work closely with production, purchasing, supply chain, operations, and plant leadership to solve challenges and improve performance.

What We're Looking For:

We're seeking a collaborative supply chain professional who can balance strategic planning with hands-on operational execution.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience across multiple supply chain functions, including inventory management, production planning, warehousing, logistics, or manufacturing operations
• Experience leading teams in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Strong inventory management and material planning experience
• Proven project management and continuous improvement experience
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, and interpret data from multiple sources
• Experience generating reports and maintaining accurate inventory records
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multiple departments
• Ability to influence others and drive results without direct authority
• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills
• Demonstrated problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail

Preferred:

• Experience with inventory management systems, ERP systems, or warehouse management systems
• Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, or Continuous Improvement experience
• Manufacturing, industrial, rail, or heavy equipment industry experience
• Experience leading inventory optimization and material flow initiatives

Work Environment:

• Significant time spent in a manufacturing and railcar repair environment
• Frequent interaction with operations, warehouse, and production teams
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, and industrial equipment
• Requires use of PPE, including safety glasses, wor